Two Main Themes of Ming and Qing

Ming and Qing Themes in a Nutshell

Dear Journal,

      If I had to categorize the Ming and Qing Dynasties and tell you what the main theme of both was, I would have a hard time.  Huge changes and developments occurred during these 600-or-so years. I would probably tell you that the core developments and growth during the Ming Dynasty were economical, but also multiple political. The first thing that comes to mind politically is the infamous Forbidden City; it was built in Beijing during the Ming Dynasty to defend the northern frontier of China. By doing this, in cause and effect, the Grand Canal was extended to Beijing. Not only did Yongle extend the Grand Canal, he also renovated/ rebuilt the Great Wall, which had been wrecked. This was a huge accomplishment. Soon after, one of the biggest political and economical movements of these 600 years was about to be made. Around 1400, Yongle launched the Ming Treasure Fleets under a Muslim eunuch, Zheng He (aka, Zheng He’s voyages). During this time, Zheng He basically travelled overseas to pronounce that the Han was back. Zheng He’s huge fleet was made of 400 ships, or “floating cities”, as some call them because of their massive size and capacity. These “floating cities” carried up to 30,000 troops along with many others of the Chinese people. Approaching a new land, Zheng He would hop off one of his “cities” onto the shore, silk, books, and china in hand, reaching a hand out for alliance with the nation before him. The main objective of these trips was to spread the word that China was once again the “Middle Kingdom.” These voyages pretty much set the tone for the Ming Dynasty. If Zheng He was to be faced with the question of “what is the main theme of the Ming Dynasty?” the probable response would be “comeback.” At least I think that this was one of the most significant events of these 600 years. But back to economics. during the Ming Dynasty there was also a population boom. From that “boom” came an agricultural revolution, which obviously would affect the economy. The last thing that comes to mind was how China was open to overseas trade at Canton. Since there was a huge European demand for silk, tea, and china, the European traders and Chinese profited generously. Now onto the Qing! If you ask me, the Qing was all political. First off, beginning in 1644, the Qing Dynasty was the first since the Mongols to be completely ruled by “barbarians.” The first two emperors, the first being Kangxi, the longest ruling emperor in the history of China, and the second Qianlong ruled about 60 years each and both did so well. Unfortunately, by the middle of the 1700’s, China’s relationship with the west was deteriorating. When Macartney makes his famous visit to Qianlong, he proposes that China become open to free trade and allow an English Embassy in Beijing (both offers were declined). Not only did this anger the British, in effect of the lack of trade caused by this, they began to smuggle opium into China for trading. The crises that followed this were fatal to China. The events to come (The Opium War, the Taiping Rebellion, the Second Opium War, the Sino-Japanese War, and the Boxer Rebellion) were five events that ended the 2,000-year tradition of imperialism in China. So, if you ask me, the Qing was just a combination of political changes, crises, and catastrophes that led to the end of Imperial China and the beginning of the Republican and Communist era.  

Caroline